by T. Matthew Phillips, Esq.
California State Bar No. 165833
U.S. Supreme Court Bar No. 317048
Dateline–Las Vegas, Nevada: On Aug. 8, 2025, T. Matthew Phillips, Esq., filed a federal lawsuit against a Clark County family-court judge who, back in 2023, used A.I. to decide five custody-related motions, [see Phillips vs. Parlade, (2:25-cv-01464-GMN-NJK)].
“Judicial immunity tends to corrupt … absolute judicial immunity tends to corrupt absolutely.”
Is it legal for judges to use A.I.? Well, actually, it’s not illegal. It’s just that, when judges do use A.I. — they are wise to verify their work-product — otherwise, they are wrongfully delegating their decision-making duties, [see NCJC, Rule 2.7].
Back in 2023, this family-court judge did use A.I. — and it’s plainly evident. This judge, on Aug. 15, 2023, denied five of Phillips’ motions — declaring them all frivolous — for a (supposed) failure to include “points & authorities.” But, in reality, one need take only a cursory glance at Phillips’ briefs to actually see the “points & authorities.”
In 33 years at the bar, Phillips has authored tens of thousands of briefs, maybe more — with cogent legal arguments supported by case-law and statutory citations. So, how in the world did this family-court judge arrive at the rather startling and totally unexpected conclusion that Phillips’ briefs lack “points & authorities?” (B.t.w., it’s worth noting, opposing counsel never alleged that Phillips’ motions lack “points & authorities.”)
Caught Red-Handed.
As it turns out, the judge’s curious ruling is the direct result of A.I. use — and this judge got caught red-handed — not just for using A.I. — but for also failing to read the parties’ motions in the first place!
So, how did Phillips discover the A.I. use?– and will it be difficult to prove? No, not at all. Why?–because the ruling is so quirky, so odd, so incongruous. It bears the distinctive earmarks of A.I. technologies.
As a humorous anecdote, Shannon Wilson, Esq., (opposing counsel), was charged with the chore of writing-up the proposed order. And, as the reader may imagine, that proved to be an uphill task, (à la Sisyphus!).
Frankly, it doesn’t take a Daubert expert to see the telltale signs of A.I. use in the judge’s Minute Order, (Aug. 15, 2023). Most telling, when Phillips moved to disqualify, the judge filed a responsive declaration, but the judge DID NOT deny the pointed A.I. allegations! But here’s what cinched it for Phillips…
How Phillips Figured it Out.
Back in 2023, the judge was using dinosaur A.I. technology. But still, it incorporated Nevada law, including the Eighth District Local Rules, which require motions must be accompanied by a “MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES.” (Here we go…)
On Aug. 15, 2023, Phillips was puzzled when the judge, from the bench, explained that the court had “consolidated” the parties’ motions into “one document.” Wait!–stop right there!–since when do judges “consolidate” opposing motions? And, what does that even mean?–to “consolidate” opposing motions?
Despite tens of thousands of hours arguing in open court, Phillips never heard a judge say that the court had “consolidated” opposing motions into “one document.”
Yes, Nevada law contemplates the consolidation of CASES; however, Nevada law is silent as to the consolidation of MOTIONS.
Okay, so, what on Earth did the judge mean, when indicating that the court had “consolidated” the parties’ motions? Hmm…
Well, it can only mean one thing — the judge simultaneously scanned both motions together — into one document — which was then submitted to an A.I. application. “Et voilà!” Instant ruling! Quicker than a 3-minute cup o’ noodles!
Memoranda of Points & Authorities.
Having been infused with the Local Rules, the A.I. bots, back in 2023, would’ve been searching the parties’ motions for this exact verbiage: “MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES.” However, none of Phillips’ motions contain this exact verbiage: “MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES.” (Re-read the last sentence.)
Sure, most workaday attorneys label their briefs with the conspicuous heading, for example, “MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO STRIKE,” (set forth in obligatory, pompous capital letters); however, some attorneys choose minimalist headings, with less verbiage, to emphasize the nature of the motion, for example, “MOTION TO STRIKE.” (Why use eleven words — when three will do quite nicely?)
As above explained, Phillips’s five motions DO NOT contain the screaming capital letters: “M-E-M-O-R-A-N-D-U-M- -O-F- -P-O-I-N-T-S- -A-N-D- -A-U-T-H-O-R-I-T-I-E-S.” And so, once the A.I. adjudicative process was underway, the A.I. bots would’ve been searching for — but unable to find in Phillips’ motions — the magical buzz words, “MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES.” And that’s how the A.I. bots, (in their unassailable correctness), reached the factual conclusion that Phillips’ motions lack “points & authorities,” which led to the legal conclusion that the motions are “frivolous.”
The judge would then go-on to fully embrace and adopt the A.I. findings, sight unseen, without question. After that, once the whirring A.I. machineries had powered-down, the judge’s job was DONE! And the judge never looked back.
The Cardinal Sin.
But again, this is where the judge commits the cardinal sin that novice A.I. users so typically commit, i.e., the judge failed to verify the A.I. work-product. More than that, the judge never bothered to eyeball Phillips’ briefs!
Obviously, the judge failed to read Phillips’ briefs. For if the judge had — the judge would’ve seen points & authorities; (however, this judge could not be bothered for so much as a fleeting glance at Phillips’ briefs…).
So too, one has to wonder — was it the judge who ran the A.I. program?–or was that just another administrative task for the judge to delegate?
Phillips’ lawsuit presents iron-clad evidence which proves that: (1) the Dept. A judge uses A.I., and (2) the Dept. A judge does not read briefs.
Which begs the question: “why” is this person even on the bench? Why waste taxpayer money — on an overpaid computer-programmer pretending to be a judicial officer?
Judicial Immunity?
Is the judge entitled to immunity? No. Judicial immunity applies only to “judicial acts.” However, using A.I. is not a “judicial act”; therefore, judicial immunity does not attach. Where judges use A.I. to decided contested matter, such use could never be deemed a “judicial act” — because judges are forbidden to delegate decision-making duties in the first place, [NCJD, Rule, 2.7].
Moral-of-the-Story.
Had the judge used A.I. merely as a “crutch,” i.e., a starting point to research governing law, then the judge’s A.I. use would be wholly justified and within the bounds of lawful jurisdiction. But here, in deciding contested matters, the judge used A.I. exclusively — 100% ChatGPT with zero human input — which shows reckless disregard. The judge never bothered to verify the A.I. work-product, or even read the parties’ briefs.
Epilogue.
Frankly, I would prefer A.I. judges to human judges, especially in family court. Judicial bias is an inevitable frailty of human nature. Judicial bias now plagues family courts nationwide. The only surefire way to eliminate judicial bias—is through the use of morally neutral and emotionally detached arbiters, i.e., judicial robots. What better way to dispense justice with dispassion?
Know your rights. Tell others. ~~TMP.
A.I. technologies hold the promise of tomorrow.
Demand #SmartJustice today!
#MakeAmericaConstitutionalAgain
#MACA

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